Sitting in the woods and STUMPED!

[jadocs]

Another one of my live digs. I'm literally sitting on a wooden pallet in the woods chewing some tobacco trying to figure this out.

The site that it was found on has produced civil war artifacts as well as other old unidentified products. I decided to skirt a water line and hit a nice hit. Upon digging this first piece out I knew it was lead. I immediately thought some kind of fishing weight. Upon further inspection and removal of dirt....I will let you be the judge. In the same home I got another hit and pulled out the matching lead pipe. The pipe is hollow as is that large end of lead that looks like someone made a pipe. Both objects give off a really sweet type of smell.

Any ideas at all?

 

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[Indian Steve]

It sure does look like an old tavern pipe, only made out of lead. I sure wouldn't have smoked out of it. VERY COOL!

 

[jadocs]

Who do you think would make something like this? Indians, civil war soldiers? I have no clue!

 

[Leatherneck2111]

Part of a makeshift still?? Soldiers will improvise with anything for a stiff drink. (Just a guess.)

 

[weregolf]

Part of a pipe with junction for different diameter pipe

 

[jadocs]

Here are some better pics

You can see that it goes all the way through.

I'm halfway tempted to bend that piece out to see how the pipe fit.

It appears the pipe is the same as inside the bowl

Some more closeup a of the bowl

Overall length

I can't get over this "sweet" smell. Going to have to keep it out of the main living quarters I think.

 

[AU Seeker]

It was never use to smoke anything/tobacco or there would be a tar like residue/discoloration in the bowl.

I agree it was used for plumbing and the bowl was a reducer to the smaller lead pipe used for, whisky still?, water?, oil/fuel?, anyone's guess is as good as any!

 

[Peyton Manning]

that is one long pipe!!

how about a maple sap tap?

 

[jadocs]

You might be right, I think I'm going to throw it away. I can't stand that sweet stench of this lead.

 

[100acre]

Very interesting find. I'm not so sure I'd throw it away though. Keep it outside until you have a better understanding of what it might be.

 

[jadocs]

Well it's in the trash can getting ready to go to the road on Weds. That was some pungent lead. Unless someone chimes in with what it is, I'm inclined to think it's some kind of antique lead plumbing system as mentioned above.

Thanks though for the positive replies. One day I will find something great lol

In the interim I did find this brass? button that is about 1/2" diameter

 

[kcm]

I was also thinking some part of an old still.

Don't most areas have laws now concerning the disposal of lead?? Might be better (IF you get rid of it) to take it to a store that recycles old car batteries. ...That is, if you have a pickup to haul it in!

 

[sawmill man]

Was there any running water near by ,if so im going to say the top cap of of a still ,crud made fitting to connect the worm. lead was used very regularly in early stills.

 

[jadocs]

Found under some tree roots near the creek

 

[HuntinDog]

recycled lead is worth .88 /lb
Just saying I hate throwing $$ away...

 

[jadocs]

I couldn't take the sweet smell (well I could have if it was something good), It's gone now.

 

[Davers]

I was also thinking some part of an old still.

Don't most areas have laws now concerning the disposal of lead?? Might be better (IF you get rid of it) to take it to a store that recycles old car batteries. ...That is, if you have a pickup to haul it in!

Yeah Man recycle it if it's not to late.
I heard lead taste's Sweet but the Smell you describe I'd keep it awhile longer then Recycle.

Some Bullet Caster might love to have the Lead.

 

[Davers]

I couldn't take the sweet smell (well I could have if it was something good), It's gone now.

OOOOOK, I would find the smell 'interesting ' if nothing else.

We think totally different but that's OK .

I can not imagine Lead having such a sweet smell that would run you out of a room , like a nasty Fart. lol

 

[kcm]

Yeah Man recycle it if it's not to late.
I heard lead taste's Sweet but the Smell you describe I'd keep it awhile longer then Recycle.

Some Bullet Caster might love to have the Lead.

I can see it now. Hunting season approacheth. Some hunter gets that lead, molds his own bullets, and then literally ends up with that sweet smell of big buck!

 

[SkaBa]

I can see it now. Hunting season approacheth. Some hunter gets that lead, molds his own bullets, and then literally ends up with that sweet smell of big buck!

Groan!